6 Unexpected Factors That Are Negatively Impacting Your Skin Ahead of Your Wedding

Your skin is your body's biggest organ, but there's a good chance you're not paying yours the attention it deserves—especially in the months leading up to the wedding. After all, you have so many details to organize and decisions to make, which means self care may have fallen to the wayside. Now, it's time to pay closer attention. If achieving a bright, glowing wedding-day complexion is on your pre-nuptial to-do list, you might be surprised to know that there are a few unexpected factors that could be standing in your way of reaching your goal.

From a bad bedtime habit to the air both outside and inside your home, two experts share what might be stopping you from getting the best wedding skin and offer tips on what you can do to stay on track.

Going to Bed Without Washing Off Your Makeup

If there's one thing to stop doing right now to improve the quality of your skin before the big day, it's falling asleep without washing your face, says Nkem Ugonabo, MD, MPH, a board-certified and fellowship trained dermatologist at UnionDerm. "This is super important and something that I emphasize often to my patients," she says. "I understand how tempting it can be to go to bed with makeup on because we’re so tired and we don’t have the energy to wash it off, but it is not good for your skin. Sleeping with makeup on can lead to increase breakouts as well as irritation."

Failing to Apply SPF Daily

Making SPF application part of your daily routine is essential—yes, protecting your skin in the months leading up to your wedding will help you have a bright, glowing complexion on the big day, but it's a good practice to get into for life. On the aesthetic front, sun exposure can lead to premature aging, including fine lines, wrinkles, and pigment changes, but it can also lead to serious damage that causes cancer. If you're working to even out your complexion in the months leading up to the big day, Dr. Ugonabo says SPF use is critical: "Not wearing sunscreen can worsen things such as hyperpigmentation and sunspots so I definitely recommend it for those who are looking to have an even skin tone."

Exposure to Outside Air Pollution

According to new research from the Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago (EPIC), "fine particulate air pollution" is the "greatest threat to public health" right now. While this type of air pollution is linked to lung disease, heart disease, and cancer, it's also negatively impacting your skin: Sam Railton, engineering category manager of environmental care at Dyson, says that ongoing exposure can lead to a noticeable decline in the health and quality of your body's protective layer. "There is increasing research on the link between longer-term pollution exposure and skin health, as this is an area that isn’t yet fully understood," he says.

Living in an urban area, Railton explains, can put your skin under greater strain. "The most extreme conditions in cities are found in narrow streets lined with tall buildings, which trap air pollution and elevate concentrations. Here, air pollution from traffic is much higher than for those who live in suburban areas on the outskirts of cities," he adds.

Exposure to Indoor Air Pollution

The quality of the air outside your home isn't the only factor you need to consider: The quality of the air inside your home negatively impact your skin, too. While it might not be fun to think about it, the air inside the four walls of your home might be doing more harm than good. "We spend more than 90% of our time indoors, so the indoor environment is as important," Railton says. "We might not think about it much, but we create a huge amount of pollution in our homes—from cooking to cleaning to using products like aerosols or candles."

Popping Pimples and Picking at Skin

Dr. Ugonabo says it's time to stop touching your skin. "I understand can be tempting, but popping pimples is something I strongly advise against because in addition to potentially spreading bacteria and it will increase the risk of having post-acne marks, which often last longer than the original pimple itself," she says. "Instead of popping them, consider over-the-counter spot treatment, hydrocolloid pimple patches, or seeing your dermatologist, who may be able to do a tiny injection to help it resolve faster. "

Forgetting to Clean Your Tech

How many times a day do you lift your cell phone to your face? Probably more than you can count. Keeping that screen clean is important, especially if you have acne-prone skin, Dr. Ugonabo says. Wipe down that screen at least once a day using an antibacterial cleanser. Wired headphones, which may hang over your cheeks, should be cleaned regularly, too.

3 Easy Changes You Can Make for Better Wedding-Day Skin

Now that you know which factors are negatively impacting your skin, here's what you can do to remedy it before the wedding.

Build a simple, sustainable routine.

Dr. Ugonabo stresses the importance of finding a simple routine that you can stick to, then following it for at least six months leading up to the wedding. "If you want to keep it easy, just make sure you include the three most important and well studied products: Sunscreen (look for broad spectrum, and SPF of at least 30, topical Vitamin C (to be used in the morning, underneath your sunscreen) and retinol/retinoid (to be used at night time)," she says.

Invest in a humidifier.

Whether you're trying to combat pollution or just ensure your skin's barrier is in its best condition, Railton says using a humidifier inside your home is key. "For the best results, a purifier humidifier should be used all year round—to help combat dry air from central heating and air conditioning, and capture pollutants such as dust, smoke, odors, and pet allergens," he says "With pollen more present in summer, and pollutants such as formaldehyde emitting from furniture and flooring, there are benefits to using it year-round." We like Dyson's Humidify+Cool, which is a combination air purifier and humidifier.

Find a dermatologist you trust.

Ultimately, working with a skin care expert is the best thing you can do to ensure you're putting your best face forward on the big day. Dr. Ugonabo says that the sooner you begin working with a dermatologist, the better, but you should come up with a treatment plan at least six months before the wedding. "This will vary based on where we are starting at baseline—for example, if you have active acne or are just looking for generally brighter skin," she explains.